Abstract: There is provided an adaptor for forming an electrical connection between a medical device having a first type of connector and an electrode having a second type of connector. The adaptor has a first connecting part shaped to cooperate with a corresponding connecting part on one of the medical device and the electrode so as to form a mechanical and electrical connection therebetween. The adaptor further has a second connecting part having a portion of magnetic or ferromagnetic material arranged to be magnetically attracted to a corresponding magnet or portion of ferromagnetic material included in a magnetic connector part on the other of the medical device and the electrode, so as to form a magnetic and electrical connection therebetween. The first connecting part is electrically connected to the second connecting part.

Abstract: There is provided an adaptor (40) for forming an electrical connection between a medical device having a first type of connector and an electrode having a second type of connector. The adaptor comprises a first connecting part (42) shaped to cooperate with a corresponding connecting part on one of the medical device and the electrode so as to form a mechanical and electrical connection therebetween. The adaptor (40) further comprises a second connecting part (44) comprising a portion of magnetic or ferromagnetic material (46) arranged to be magnetically attracted to a corresponding magnet or portion of ferromagnetic material comprised in a magnetic connector part on the other of the medical device and the electrode, so as to form a magnetic and electrical convection therebetween. The first connecting part (42) is electrically connected to the second connecting part (44).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and circuit for accurately controlling heating of an electrode of a discharge lamp. According to the present invention a feedback voltage is generated. The feedback voltage is representative of an electrode voltage, in particular an electrode voltage when the discharge lamp is in a non-burning state, the electrode voltage then representing a heating voltage. The feedback voltage is compared to a predetermined reference voltage, which represents a desired heating voltage. The comparator generates and outputs an error signal representing a difference between the actual feedback voltage and the reference voltage. The error signal is supplied to a power supply circuit. The power supply circuit generates the alternating supply current corresponding to the error signal such that the electrode voltage is adjusted towards the desired heating voltage.

Abstract: In an up-converter supplied by the mains supply and operating in the critical mode, the on-time of the switching element (2) is modulated so that it is increased in the vicinity of the zero crossings of the mains supply voltage. As a result the THD is lowered.

Abstract: In an up-converter a switching element is controlled both by an integrated control circuit and by a secondary winding on an inductor. High power factor and low total harmonic distortion are achieved while the design of the integrated control circuit is comparatively simple.